By Celephina Onovo
GTBank press statement
Innocent Chukwuma, the owner of Innoson Motors has expressed gratitude to all Nigerian for standing by him when he was forcefully arrested and detained by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday from his Enugu home.
He has however reiterated that his arrest was illegal and promised to cooperate with the EFCC to see to the end of the matter and clear his name.
Chukwuma broke the silent after he was given bail in a statement he personally signed on a day the GTBank, believed to be at the centre of his ordeal also issued a statement saying the bank did not regret its action on anti-corruption issues as they affect its customers.
In a press statement signed by GTBank’s Company Secretary, Erhi Obebeduo, the management said it was committed to reporting criminal and untoward activities involving customers to the appropriate agencies of government for investigation, and urged her customers to trust the bank’s commitment to best practices and good customer relations.
Chukwuma wrote: “May I use this opportunity to express my gratitude to fellow countrymen who stood by me in this period of my Illegal arrest by EFCC.
“Firstly, I want to thank Mr President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his believe in the rule of law. I thank also the various State Governors who condemned my illegal arrest and fought to see my release.
“I also thank the distinguished members of the National Assembly for their support in voicing out my illegal arrest, the traditional rulers across the divide from the North to the South, your support and contribution to my release is well noted. Thank you.
“To all the Media organizations, various human rights groups, the youths, the #FreeInnoson social media crusaders and everybody who gave a voice to condemn my illegal arrest, thank you all.
“I still maintain that my arrest was illegal, as there was never a period that EFCC under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu invited me for any reason. In due time, I will tell Nigerians the whole truth about this matter. I intend to work faithfully with the EFCC on this alleged investigation so as to clear my name which has been badly damaged, and I will follow up this so called investigation to its logical conclusion.
“Once again, thank you my fellow Nigerians, with this high level of support and love showered on me during this period of my travail, I reiterate my strong resolve on the robust industrialization project of our dear nation, which will make her truly great again. I thank you all once more for your support.”